Why travel insurance may not help you if there's a WestJet strike
Travel insurance providers are increasingly refusing to cover flight cancellations related to a potential WestJet strike. Because the strike is now considered a 'known event,' policies purchased after the announcement may not provide compensation for travel disruptions.
Why it matters
This highlights the limitations of travel insurance and the financial risks travelers face when booking during periods of labor instability.
If travellers had bought insurance before Wednesday when the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the union representing flight attendants on WestJet's main airline, announced members had voted 99.4 per cent in favour of striking , they might have been covered.
But since CUPE Local 8125 announced that its members could strike as soon as the upcoming August long weekend if no deal is reached with WestJet, insurance companies can now treat a strike or lockout starting on Aug. 2 as a "known event" a nd could potentially refuse coverage.
WestJet flight attendants vote to strike as soon as August long weekend if no deal
According to a memo distributed by insurance prov ider Manulife to travel professionals, the benefits "related to this potential strike would not apply." Travel insurance salesman Martin Firestone says this type of move isn't a surprise.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in